Another Banksy Goes Missing

The Banksy mural “No Ball Games” has been sneakily removed for sale. (Banksy)

What the what? Insert, shaking head in frustration, followed by rubbing eyes in disbelief. Banksy, the infamous graffiti street artist, was robbed of one of his North London murals that dubiously showed up on a U.S. auction website back in February, 2013. And now, it’s happened again.

The same company, The Sincura Group, who was responsible for removing “Slave Labour” has slyly lifted another public art piece entitled “No Ball Games”.

The playful artwork was sprayed on the side of a shop in Tottenham, located in the London borough of Haringey, four years ago by Banksy, reports The Independent. This is the same borough which was home to the “Slave Labour” mural before it went missing, resulting in public outcry. So, now they are short two Banksys.

The Sincura Group audaciously acted as if they were doing the community a favor saying the painting had been removed “to be sensitively restored to its former glory.” The organization reportedly said that “No Ball Games” had not been appreciated by locals and would be sold. How do you gauge public appreciation?

The artwork “No Ball Games” was protected by plexiglass. There’s a hint that, yes, the community does want the art to stay put. The company must have cut around the protective glass.

Not-too-surprisingly people are not happy about the loss with passersby admitting they’re “gutted” over the removal.

Keith Flett, secretary of Haringey Trades Council and Tottenham resident told The Independent: “The Banksy was an important cultural feature of the area, and if it has been removed – which currently looks rather likely given the wall is being re-plastered – it will be another indication that local people’s wishes in the area come second to the interests of profit.”

The group received permission from the landlord of the shop before constructing the removal … this time.

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